Rotary engine.



No. 805,545. PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905. F. A. HBADSON. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 13, 1904.

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No. 805,545. PATENTED NOV. 28, 1905.

v F. A. HEADSON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JA1T.13,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 illllllllli w ZL No. 805,545 PATENTBD NOV. 28, 1905 F. A. HEADSON.

ROTARY ENGINE;

APPLICATION FILED JAN.13,1904.

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No. 805,545. PATENTEDNOV. 28, 1905. P. A. HEADSON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.13,1904.

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//x A I i IINITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 28, 1905.

Application filed January 13, 1904- Serial No. 188,911.

1'0 aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, F RANK ANTHONY HEAD- soN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lafayette, in the county of Tippecanoe and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of engines popularly designated and known as rotary engines in which the rotating part is a rotatable piston-head provided with a plurality of wings or blades against which the motive fluid impinges, and particularly to the construction, arrangement, and means of positively operating these wings, all of which will be morefully hereinafter set forth.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical, and efficient rotary engine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary engine having a rotatable piston-head and two or more pivoted blades with eccentric mechanism for positively operating the same.

Further objects of the invention will appear from an examination of the drawings and the following description and claims.

The invention consists principally in a rotary engine in which there are combined a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber, a piston-head rotatably mounted therein, wing mechanism pivot-ally mounted thereon, a rock-shaft for and upon which each of such wings is mounted, and means for positively operating these shafts by and during the rotation of the head.

The invention consists, further, in a rotary engine in which there are combined a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber, a rotatable piston-head mounted therein, a plurality of pivoted wings thereon, arranged to swing so that their outer edges describe a row; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional elevation taken on line 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 3, a developed plan view of a portion of the periphery of the rotatable piston-head, showing the cut-off valves and arrangement thereof; Fig. 4, a transverse sectional elevation taken on line 5 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 5, a transverse sectional elevation taken on line 6 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 6, an enlarged developed plan view of one of the cut-off valves and pocket in which it operates; Fig. 7, a perspective view of one end of the main shaft of the engine with the piston-head removed and showing the pivoted swinging blades with their operative mechanisms, and Fig. 8 a similar view of the other end of the main shaft of the engine.

In constructing an engine in accordance with these improvements I make a base porengines, is provided with a cylindrical fluidpressure chamber 0, in which is rotatably and eccentrically mounted a piston-head cl, by means of a main shaft 6, which is journaled and rotatably mounted in bearings f, secured to the end walls 9. As is usual in such constructions, it is well known that it is very difficult to bore out the bearing-boxes for the main shaft in such a manner that they are always in correct alinement withv the center of the piston-head, so as to prevent cramping. In order to compensate or provide for irregularities in the castings or bad workmanship, these bearing-boxes are adjustably secured to the end walls by means of bolts h, which take the larger portion of the strains, while aplurality of set or adjusting screws 2' is provided to contact the plate in such a manner as to bring it to the desired alinement, all of which will I be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art.

To provide means by which the potential energy of the motive fluid may be transformed into work done-that is, the rotation of the piston-head, its shaft, and other parts two wings j are provided and made in the form of sectors of a circle operatingin grooves Z; in the piston-head, beginning at a point near the periphery and ending at a point at or near the center. To positively operate these grooved wings, they are provided with arms Z, extending in one direction therefrom and secured to rock-shafts m, in turn movably mounted in the piston-head at a point coincident, or substantially so, with the center from which the curves of the wings are struck, the arrangement being such that as these rock shafts are rotated the wings, through the media of their arms, are likewise moved inwardly or outwardly, as the case may be. It becomes desirable to provide means by which these rock-shafts may be operated at the proper time. In order to accomplish this result, an eccentric a is provided near each end of the main shaft and preferably immovably secured to the end cylinder at the right degree, being cylindrical and arranged concentric with the axis of the pressure-chamber. This eccentric is provided with an cecentric-strap 0, having an arm extending out therefrom and pivotally connected with a lever-arm p and one end of its respective rockshaft. It will be noticed on inspecting Figs. 1, 7, and 8 that the eccentric for one rockshaft is at one end of the cylinder and the eccentric for the other rock-shaft at the other end. Examining Figs. 1, 7, and 8, it will be seen that as the piston with its head rotates the strap is carried around thereby. and as such eccentricstrap is carried around its position diametrically is changed, allof which acts to operate the lever-arm and move theproper wing in or out, as the case may be. It will be seen also that the movement of the Wings is positive and not depending upon the action of springs or fluidpressure and that each wing has two distinct pivotal centers or pivotal connections moving in different paths. The inner pivotal point or individual inner pivotal center of each of the wings is at the point where it is connected with the pistonhead, and its path of motion is concentric with the axis of the piston-head, while each wing is indirectly by means of its rockshaft and lever-arm connections pivoted at a point in alinement with the outer edge of such wing, so that such outer edge describes a true circle around the axial center of the pressurechamber and is constantly at the same distance from its axial center, the wings thus having an oscillating movement, while the outer edges move simply in a true circle. As

a consequence the shocks and jars usually.

found in such constructions are largely obviated. It is further desirable that these eccentrics, with their straps and connecting lever-arms, be made to operate in such a manner as to largely minimize all friction and shut them ofi practically from all contact with the motive fluid. To accomplish this,

the piston-head is provided with two circular partitions or flanges 9, one at each end, which are of considerably larger diameter than the piston-head and are arranged concentric therewith, so as to span or hermetically seal with the aid of packing-rings 'r the fluid-pressure chamber and at the same time form chambers s between them and the end walls of the cylinder. An inspection of Fig. 1 will show that the eccentrics, with their straps and connecting lever-arms, are arranged in such chambers and that whenever desirable such chambers can be entirely or partially filled with a lubricant, thereby lessening objectionable adhesion and the development of frictional force.

An inspection of Figs. 4: and 5 will show that the piston-head is arranged eccentric with the fluid-pressure chamber and that, relatively speaking, its lower peripheral surface contacts the lower peripheral surface of the walls that form the fluid-pressure chamber and that a steam-inlet t is arranged in the lower walls of the cylinder at a point where the outer periphery of the piston-head contacts therewith, so that at certain times such inlet is cut off andat other times opened, thereby providing a construction by which the expansibility of the motive fluid maybe taken advantage of. The peripheral surface of the piston-head is provided with one or more steam-pockets a, in which cut-off valves xv may be arranged which slide longitudinally thereof. These cut-off valves, as shown in the developed Figs. 3 and 6, are in the nature of slides engaging with dovetails w, longitudinally arranged in the pockets, so that the valves may move across the same. The valves are provided with substantially triangular grooves at, so that as the position thereof is changed with regard to the inlet-opening tin the walls of the cylinder the fluid-pressure may be cut off at any desired point and permit the remainder to act expansibly. These valves are connected together and to a valve-rod 1 by means of a pin 2, diametrically passed through the piston head and through an opening or perforation 10 in the main shaft.

The main shaft carries two fly-wheels 11 and 12, as shown inFig. 1, and the fly-wheel 12 contains a fly-wheel governor connected with the valve-rod y to move the same inwardly and outwardly at the desired times. As the fly-wheel governor is no part of this invention, and as a preferred form thereof is described and claimed in Patent'No. 678,469, issued to me the 16th day of July, 1901, I do not deem it necessary to illustrate or further describe the same herein. It is sufficient to say that as the speed increases the valve-rod will be moved in one direction to operate the cut-off valve the desired amount and cut off the admission of steam at the desired point, while when the speed decreases a desired amount the valve-rod is moved in an opposite direction to operate the cut-off valvelikewise, and the point of the cut-off is changed or delayed.

by the wing, as shown in Fig. 4, the heel or outer edge of such wing is provided with a packing-strip 15, which is longer than the wing and is arranged to always bear on the inner surface 16 of the fluid-pressure chamber, as shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 4:, such arrangement permitting the heel or outer edge of the wing to contact the inner peripheral surface of the fluid-pressure chamber when the parts are in the position shown in the upper part of Fig. 4t-that is, to be impacted by the motive fluid and assist in keeping it out of contact with the lower inner surface of the fluid-pressure chamber when the parts are in the position shown in the lower part of such figure. It will be seen to the right of Fig. 5 that the parts have just finished taking steam and that the upper wing is being acted on by the expansion of the motive fluid, and that such action will continue until such wing passes the exhaust-port, when the motive fluid will be allowed to escape. An inspection of the same figure will also show, should the I parts be stationary, that the engine could not be startedin other words, it would be on center. To provide means for starting the engine at such point, a by-pass 18 is provided, which connects the inlet-opening with a point not contacted by the outer surface of the peripheral head. A supplementary valve 17 is provided, the opening or closing of which controls the by-pass. The opening of this valve will permit a portion of the motive fluid to enter such chamber and rotate the engine. WVhen the parts have been rotated or operated to acquire suflicient momentum, this valve may be closed, when the steam or other motive fluid will enter in the usual manner.

I claim 1. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber and fluid-inlet passage, a piston-head rotatably mounted therein in sliding contact with the inner surface of the cylinder between the fluid-inlet passage and the pressure-chamber, wing mechanism pivotally mounted on such head, and means for positively swinging such wing mechanism by and during the rotation of the head, substantially as described.

2. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber and fluid-inlet passage, a piston-head rotatably mounted therein in sliding contact with theinner surface of the cylinder between the inner opening of the fluid-inlet passage and the pressure-chamber, a plurality of wings pivotally mounted on such head, and eccentric mechanism for positively swinging such wing mechanism by and during the rotation of the head, substantially as described.

3. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber and fluid-inlet port,a pistonhead rotatably mounted therein in sliding contact with the inner surface of the cylinder on all sides of the inlet-port and provided with steam-pockets in operative connection with the inlet-port, a plurality of wings operating in such pistonhead, a rock-shaft for each of such wings rockingly mounted in the piston-head, and means for operating each of such rock-shafts positively by and during the rotation of the head, substantially as described.

4:. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber and fluid-inlet port, a piston-head rotatabl y mounted therein in sliding contact with such cylinder and provided with valve pockets adapted to communicate with the inlet-port, curved wings operating in grooves in the piston-head, a rock-shaft for each of such wings and to which such wings are rigidly secured and rockingly mounted in the piston-head, and eccentric mechanism connected with such rock-shafts and arranged to be positively operated by and during the rotation of the piston-head, substantially as described.

5. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber and fluid-inlet port, a piston-head rotatably mounted therein in sliding contact with one side of the cylinder and provided with a plurality of pockets, a valve movably mounted in each pocket provided with a steam-pocket therein, means for automatically moving such valves, a main shaft to which such piston-head is secured rotatably mounted in the end walls of the cylinder, curved wing mechanisms movably mounted in slots or grooves in the pistonhead, rock shafts movably mounted in the piston-head-one for each of such wing mechanisms and to which such wing mechanisms are rigidly secured, a lever-arm on the end of each of such rock-shafts, and eccentric mechanisms-one arranged at each end of the piston-head for operating such rock-shafts by and during the rotation of the piston-head, substantially as described.

6. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure cham her, a piston-head rotatably mounted therein, a main shaft upon which such piston-head is mounted extending out of the end walls of the cylinder, curved wing mechanism movably mounted in grooves or pockets in the pistonhead, a rock-shaft for each of such wing mechanisms movably mounted in the piston-head, a partition arranged at each end of the pistonhead inclosing the ends of the fluid-pressure chamber and forming chambers between such partitions and the end walls of the cylinder, an immovable eccentric arranged in such pockets, and eccentric-straps mounted thereonone on each-and connected with the rockshafts for operating the same by and during the rotation of the piston-head, substantially as described.

7. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder portion provided with a cylindrical fluid-pressure chamber, a piston-head rotatably mounted in such chamber eccentrically thereto, a plurality of piston-wings pivotally attached to such piston-head, a rock-shaft for each of such wings arranged in positive relation thereto and provided with lever-arms, a rotatable main shaft upon which the pistonhead is mounted and to which it is secured extending out of the end walls of the cylinder, a stationary eccentric arranged at each end of the pressure-chamber eccentric with the main shaft and concentric with the axis of the pressure-chamber, eccentric strap and rod mechanism mounted upon such eccentrics extending outward radially from the main shaft and pivotally connected to the rock-shaft lever-arms, and a bearing portion for the main shaft adjustably secured to each of the end walls of the cylinder, substantially as described.

8. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with afluid-pressure chamber, a rotatable piston-head providedwith grooves, pivoted operating-wings for such grooves, eccentrics immovably secured to the end walls of the cylinder, and eccentric-straps pivotally connected with the wings to operate the same by and during the rotation of the piston-head, substantially as described.

9. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with a fluid-pressure chamber and having a main fluid-inlet passage and a by-pass adapted to communicate with such pressure-chamber, a piston-head rotatably mounted in such cylinder in sliding contact with the inner surface thereof between the inner end of the main fluid-passage and the inner opening of the bypass at a point between the main inlet-passage and pressure-chamber, wing mechanism pivotally mounted on such piston-head, and means for swinging such wing mechanism by and during the rotation of the head, substantially as described.

10. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a cylindrical pressure-chamber therein, a piston-head rotatably mounted in such pressure-chamber eccentrically thereof, piston-Wings pivotally attached to such piston-head, stationary cylindrical cam mechanism or eccentrics arranged in alinement with the axial center of the pressurechamber, eccentric strap and rod mechanism mounted upon the eccentrics, and a lever-arm arranged in positive relation to each wing and pivotally connected to the eccentric-arm, substantially as described.

11. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a cylindrical pressure-chamber therein, a piston-head rotatably mounted in such pressure-chamber eccentrically and in contact with one side of the wall thereof, a shaft upon which such piston-head is mounted, cylindrical cam mechanism or eccentrics arranged eccentrically of the piston-head shaft and concentric with the axis of the pressurecl1amber, rock-shafts pivotally mounted in the piston-head and provided with lever-arms, piston-wings mounted upon such rock-shafts and in positive relation thereto, and eccentric-arms mounted upon the eccentrics and pivotally connected with the lever-arms of the rock-shafts ata point the same distance from the axial center of the pressurechamber as the outer edge of the Wings, and thereby with the wings, for holding the outer edges of such wings constantly at the same distance from the axial center of the pressurechamber, substantially as described.

12. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a cylindrical pressure-chamber therein, a piston-head rotatably mounted within such chamber eccentrically thereto, and piston-wings each pivoted at independentlymoving pivotal centers, one of such pivotal centers moving concentric to the piston-head and the other being substantially in alinement with the outer edge of the wing and movable in a true circle around the axial center of the pressure-chamber, substantially as described.

13. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a pressure-chamber, a piston-head rotatably mounted within such chamber eccentric thereof, and piston-wings pivotally connected with such piston-head and also provided with attached pivot mechanism movable in a true circle eccentrically of the piston and arranged in substantial alinement with the outer edges of such wings, substantially as described.

14. In a rotary engine, the combination of a cylinder provided with a pressure-chamber, a piston-head rotatably mounted within such chamber eccentric thereof, and piston-wings pivotally connected with the piston-head and provided with pivot mechanism attached thereto movable in a true circle coincident or parallel with the outer edges thereof, and means for movably supportin such pivot mechanism and thereby guiding the outer edges of the wings in a true circle, substantially asdescribed.

15. In a rotary engine, the combinationof a cylinder provided with a pressure-chamber, a piston-head rotatably mounted within such chamber eccentric thereof, piston-wings piv: otally connected with the piston-head, and crank-arms for such piston-wingsrotatably mounted at a point in substantial alinement with the center of the pressure-chamber and in pivotal engagement with the Wings at points in substantial alinement with the outer edges thereof, substantially as described.

16. In a rotary engine, the combination of acylinder provided with a pressure-chamber,

a piston-head rotatably mounted Within such otal engagement with the piston-wings at a chamber eccentric thereof, a plurality of pispoint in substantial alinement with the outer ton-Wings pivotally connected with the pisedge of such Wing, substantially as described. IO ton-head, and apair of crank-arms rotatably FRANK ANTHONY HEADSON.

5 mounted at points in substantial alinement Witnesses:

with the center of the pressure-chamber at JULIUS POTTLITZER, opposite ends of'such chamber, each in pivi HERBERT S. FELSENTHAL. 

